…of Tewksbury, U.S. Navy veteran; 74
TEWKSBURY – Mr. Robert Michael Gravelle, age 74, a Veteran and resident of Tewksbury for the past forty-seven years, died peacefully at his Tewksbury home, Saturday, May 23, in the loving care of his family and hospice, after a long battle with respiratory illness. He was the beloved husband of Andrea F. (Bailey) Gravelle, with whom he had celebrated a fiftieth wedding anniversary on May 16.
He was born in Revere in February 1946, one of three children of the late Arthur and Alice (McDonough) Gravelle and raised in Medford. After attending Medford public schools, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy, where he served overseas in both the Caribbean for one year at Guantanamo Bay and a year in the Mediterranean Sea aboard the Aircraft Carrier, U.S.S. Saratoga.
He retired as a Sales Representative in the Tobacco Distribution business.
“Bob” was proud to have served his country in the Navy and had maintained life-long friendships with members of the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post 110, and the Somerville D.A.V. Post 27.
In the winter, he enjoyed sledding on snowmobiles, and in summer relaxing in his vegetable and flower gardens.
Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Kerry Lekas and her husband Daniel of Londonderry, NH; a son, Robert L. Gravelle and his wife Katrina (Enis) of Goffstown, NH; four grandchildren, William and his wife Meghan, Emily, Nicholas, and Lydia; two great grandsons, Martin and Theodore; a great granddaughter, Riley; a sister, Carol Ann Rand and her husband Neal of So. Royalston, VT; several nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by his sister, the late Alice DePari.
With strict adherence to Covid-19 health precautions and limited numbers, Visiting hours are Thursday, May 28, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Friday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Navy Honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, No. Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000-Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or via www.stjude.org Or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114-2699 or via www.lovetotherescue.org OR MSPCA Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or vis www.mspca.org are encouraged. For E-condolences visit: www.legacy.com visit: tewksburyfuneralhome.com